Source: Telegraph
Bolton Wanderers 2 Stoke City 1: match report
Bolton Wanderers finally found comfort at home, substitute Ivan Klasnic's injury time strike securing victory at the Reebok Stadium where Wanderers had drawn their three previous encounters this season. [LNB]But Klasnic turned from immediate hero to instant villain when he was booked twice in the space of two injury time minutes leaving red the only option for referee Peter Walton. [LNB]Bolton Wanderers v Hull City: PreviewOwen Coyle, the Bolton manager, said: 'I had no complaints about the first yellow card Ivan received but I felt the second was very harsh.' [LNB]Yet Coyle remained upbeat about seeing his side record their first victory at home where they remain unbeaten. He said: 'I thought we played with tremendous pride after having nine players away on international duty. They came out and gave a great performance, although I felt the three points might have eluded us. But what an impression Klasnic made. However it is not nice that we will lose his quality for the next game.' [LNB]Stoke City, who had won their last two games, were disappointed to take nothing from a game they had controlled for long periods. And Mr Walton displeased the Stoke following by rejecting what appeared a blatant penalty when Zat Knight clearly handled in front of his own goal shortly before half-time of an absorbing contest. Even before the Knight incident, the visitors were denied when Jermaine Pennant struck the crossbar with a glorious free kick. [LNB]Tony Pulis, the Stoke manager, was philosophical in defeat, saying: 'Maybe we had three shouts for penalties, but they were not given so we have to take it on the chin and get on with it. [LNB]'I thought in the first half we played well. Bolton are a dangerous side on the break but we controlled the game and to go in at half-time one down was desperately disappointing. [LNB]'We should have cleared the ball when they got their second goal but I have no complaints.' [LNB]The game sprung to life in the 22nd minute with South Korean international Chung-Yong Lee delivering a stunning strike to give Bolton the lead. Lee played a neat one-two with Kevin Davies, then rode a series of challenges before finishing from 18 yards. [LNB]Three minutes into the second-half Stoke achieved parity when, from a Pennant corner on the left, Robert Huth provided the headed flick on for Rory Delap to deliver from beyond the far post. [LNB]Dean Whitehead forced a splendid save from the home goalkeeper, Jussi Jaaskelainen, and both sides continued to create chances until the explosive finale when Klasnic drove home. Then, he was initially involved with Whitehead and a second foul on Delap led to his dismissal. [LNB]
